considered a Lancashire trade, West of the Pennines. The company is also known for hatpins, a collection of which were shown on the BBC television programme 'Antiques Roadshow' in May 2013. A small number were made in gold. After the Great War, the Charles Horner company was one of the first to use the new plastic materials becoming available, specifically casein plastics. These were branded as 'Dorcasine'. Thimbles continued to be produced until 1947 and the company went into voluntary liquidation in 1984. Hallmarks As the Dorcas thimbles were partly steel they could not be hallmarked, even though the silver layers were of sterling. Silver jewellery pieces were marked at Chester and also marked with a "C H" maker's mark. Sterling silver thimbles were also produced. These may be identified as they are hallmarked, do not carry the 'Dorcas' name and do not have the rolled lip of the Dorcas design. References 1837 births 1896 deaths English jewellers English silversmiths People from Halifax, West Yorkshire